#MotorCityMadness Esports Championship Recap
Joey Yashinsky
A tournament that began with over 200 NBA 2K18 hoopers across the country on the GamerSaloon platform played all the way down to one Thursday night at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit.
When the controllers were set down and the final buzzer sounded, it was 23-year-old Anthony “Ant” Johnson of New Britain, Conn., taking home the Motor City Madness Esports championship and a $6,000 first prize.
“I don’t do much talking when I play,” Johnson said. “That’s not what I’m about. I just get it done and go back home.”
And get it done he did. Playing as the Milwaukee Bucks and using the ultra-versatility of 6-foot-11 point guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, Johnson swept his way through the bracket.
His opponent in the championship game was 23-year-old Morris Jones of Detroit. Jones entered the final oozing with confidence and hometown pride: “I can’t let these guys come to my city and take this. You can mark my words...I will win.”
Unfortunately, Jones and the Oklahoma City Thunder never quite got untracked in the title game. Johnson used a clever defensive strategy, staying tight with shooters on the outside and forcing Jones to attempt over 20 field goals with Russell Westbrook.
“He made Russell win the game,” Jones said. “But I had a great time. Can’t complain.”
Jones earned $2,500 for finishing runner-up.
The Esports Championship was the official kickoff to an event-filled week at Little Caesars Arena, highlighted by the Horizon League Men’s & Women’s Basketball Championship consisting of 18 win-or-go-home tournament games over a five-day span. Both the men’s and women’s teams are set to begin play on Friday with two matchups apiece.
In addition to the NBA 2K royalty in the building, Detroit Pistons’ legend Ben Wallace also made an appearance: talking with the gamers, signing autographs, and even heading down to the court for a little late-night shooting session with fans in attendance.
“I got a 14-year-old at home and he told me I can’t play 2K anymore because I always get killed,” Wallace said. “But I’m enjoying this. It’s a cool event.”
But this night belonged to the soft-spoken man known as “Ant.” While other gamers did their squawking and let everyone know when a big shot was drained, Ant simply played his game, surgically breaking down each opponent one by one.
Asked for his next move now that he’s $6,000 richer, Ant was predictably calm, cool and collected.
“No real plans,” he said. “I’ll definitely be out at the (Horizon League) tournament tomorrow. I’m just gonna relax and enjoy myself.”
The Milwaukee Bucks are not likely to win the actual NBA championship this summer, but its NBA 2K version grabbed all the glory on Thursday night in Detroit.
And it was all thanks to the Xbox wizard at the controls: Ant Johnson, the silent assassin.